Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE RED MENACE
Jeffrey knows Cliftonville will be going all out to storm his fortress
BALLYMENA United manager David Jeffrey expects Fortress Showgrounds to come under siege in tonight’s League Cup semi-final with Cliftonville.
The Braidmen, bidding to defend the trophy after lifting it for the first time last season, have gone 13 games without a home defeat.
But Jeffrey expects that record to be put to the test against a Cliftonville side boasting Joe Gormley, Rory Donnelly and Jay Donnelly, who have scored 39 goals between them this season.
Jeffrey said: “Everyone knows the formidable firepower they have and you only have to look at their league position to know we face a huge task. That’s not an attempt at psychological warfare, they are dangerous opponents and they’ll understandably be favourites to progress to the final.
“It’ll be tough, but the message to my players is simple – we’re holders and we’ve worked extremely hard to get to this point. We’re not going to give up the trophy without a fight.”
Ballymena have lost just two of their last 15 outings in all competitions, one of which was a narrow 1-0 defeat at Cliftonville in November.
Jeffrey said: “Games between us have been very tight this season. We won 1-0 at home back in September and you could argue a draw would have been a fair result. The same could be said when we lost 1-0 at Solitude.”
Cliftonville boss Barry Gray, fresh from a 1-1 draw at Glenavon on Saturday, is bracing himself for a “tricky tie” on the Braid.
He said: “It’s another away trip for us and a difficult game, particularly down at Ballymena, but we’re confident and we’ll look forward to the challenge.
“It’s an opportunity for us to secure a place in the final, so everyone will be up for it. There hasn’t been a lot between the sides this season, but we would take a 1-0 win now.”
Ballymena captain Jim Ervin returns from a ban, while strike duo Johnny Mcmurray and Cathair Friel face late fitness tests after recovering from injuries sustained over the festive period.
Cliftonville’s Jamie Harney should be available again after serving a ban.
SATURDAY’S postponed league game between Warrenpoint Town and Linfield at Milltown will be played on Tuesday, February 6.